43 Symptoms of Fibromyalgia – Anyone With Muscle Pain Should Read This

In America, between three and six million people, or one in every fifty, suffer from Fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by debilitating pain experienced all over the body with no obvious cause. Though often people do improve over time, it is often something that they will have to deal with for their entire lives. (1)

If you have chronic muscle pain however, it does not necessarily mean that you have fibromyalgia. If you’re worried that you could have fibromyalgia, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many other symptoms that accompany muscle pain. Take a look at the signs and symptoms below to get a better understanding. (1)

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

If you find your muscles aching on a constant basis with no obvious external causes, have a read through this list of symptoms to help you determine whether you could have fibromyalgia

It is unlikely that all the symptoms will match, but if the majority of them resonate with you, then take your concerns to your doctor who will be able to first rule out all other causes. (2)

Muscle and Body Tissues

Muscle Twitching

Morning stiffness

Swelling

Mild to severe pain that may move around to different parts of the body

Tender and lumpy breasts (Fibrocystic breasts, as an overlapping condition)

Sleep Problems

Fatigue

Grinding teeth

Muscle twitching even while sleeping

Having the sensation of falling while sleeping (“Sleep Starts”)

Difficulty sleeping/broken sleeping pattern, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic each morning as opposed to refreshed.

Allergy and Sinus Issues

Ringing ears

Thick mucus

Itchy ears and earaches

Runny nose and post nasal drip

Allergies, sensitivity to molds and yeasts

Shortness of breath

Stomach and Digestion Problems

Bloating, nausea, abdominal cramps, and pelvic pain

Frequent urination (always need to pee, get up every night, often more than once)

Cognitive Difficulties

Zone out often, difficulty with concentration, short term memory, and differentiating between certain shades of color.

Burning or tingling in the upper limbs

Language impairments and difficulty speaking familiar words

Reproductive Problems

Loss of libido

Impotence

PMS and other menstrual problems

Heart Problems

Irregular heartbeat

Valve problems

Heart attack-like pain

Hair, Skin, and Nails

Overly-ridged nails or nails that curve under

Skin that bruises or scars easily or appears mottled

Hair loss

Mental Health Symptoms

Anxiety, depression, panic attacks

Mood swings and unexplained irritability

Other Symptoms

Family history

Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

Carbohydrate and chocolate cravings

Headaches and migraines

Vision changes

The sweats

Remember that all of these signs and symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that they can be caused by or signify another condition, or they could be coincidental and not mean anything at all. For example, just because you experience PMS, are occasionally moody, have cravings, or experience migraines, does not mean that you have fibromyalgia. Again, speak with your doctor before jumping to any conclusions. (1, 2, 3)

How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia can be mistaken for other conditions, and there are no specific tests that can give a one hundred percent certain diagnoses, making it difficult to diagnose at all. (3)

First of all, you have to meet specific criteria set by The American College of Rheumatology to receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis. These criteria are (3):

Widespread pain that has been present for at least 3 months in all four quadrants of the body

11 out of 18 tender points, with pain felt when palpated on those points

Negative findings for any other diseases on any of the diagnostic tests performed

Because there is not one test that can determine whether or not someone has fibromyalgia, doctors use a combination of diagnostic tests to help rule out other conditions and make a stronger case for the disease. Tests you can expect to undergo are (3):